Recently ISCO was invited by the School of Engineering at the University of Sussex to set two challenges (mechanical and electrical) for a 2 day design seminar to be undertaken by the University’s MEng undergraduates.
After some discussions within ISCO it was decided to focus on beach clean up and situational awareness devices able to respond to a plastics (nurdles) spill.
To give context to the students, ISCO Council member Paul Foley of OSRL provided a presentation on the impact of the X-Press Pearl sinking in Sri Lanka.
Fellow Council members, Zal Rustom and Rupert Bravery (who is also a Fellow of Sussex) were in attendance over the 2 days to facilitate the students’ progress and assess their results.
Here is a brief synopsis of the two day event from Zal Rustom who helped facilitate the activities.
“When Sussex University’s Faculty of Engineering asked the International Spill Control Organisation to support a project engaging with students and requesting solutions for real and current problems, there was no hesitation in ISCO’s acceptance. An ISCO project team, comprising of Chairman Rupert Bravery and Council Members Paul Foley and Zäl Rustom, gave two options to around 60 Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Students.
“First was a mechanical solution for the recovery of plastic nurdles and marine plastics from shorelines. Second was an electronic solution for development of a reconnaissance drone for investigation of polluted shorelines. The two-day project was kick started with a case history of the loss of a cargo ship and presentation of the current trends in shoreline clean-up.
“Students were then briefed and split into teams of five. To add a little excitement to the contest a cash incentive was offered as a prize to the team judged to design the best concept supported by details of materials, costs and fabrication processes.
“Throughout the project Team-ISCO shared experiences and commercial insight with the students, which were met with inquisitive and enthusiastic responses. It was delightful to witness the excitement and raw dedication in the room as the student teams went from blank sheets of paper to credible commercial solutions.
Hopefully, this is just the start of a longer and fruitful relationship between the University of Sussex University and ISCO.”
Currently ISCO is working to increase its student outreach programme under the leadership of Vice Chair, Larissa Montas, leveraging the global network of ISCO Council members and their connections with various academic institutions across the world.
